For Her Protection

CASSIE-2

Chapter Two

I have known Stefeno and his family my entire life. His father and my father grew up in the same village in Italy. He is also my older brother's best friend. I didn't spend much time with him growing up. Mainly because him and my brother are eight years older than me. Stefeno and his father would come to New York a couple of times a year. When they would come, my parents would alway make a dinner for them. They would come spend at least a couple of evenings with my family. That would be the only time I ever saw him.

Once him and my brother were eighteen, they would go off and do their own things. I got to know Stefeno's dad really well. He was an uncle to me. Iven Morello is a larger than life type of man. He stood around 5'11'' with salt and pepper hair. A large belly, mainly from drinking. He is your typical loud Italian man. His favorite thing to do was smoke cigars and drink whiskey. He also loved telling stories about his and my father's time growing up. He was also so kind to me. Calling me princess. He never came to visit without bringing me a gift.

The last time I saw Stefeno or Iven was my mother's funeral. They didn't stay long and left immediately after the funeral ended. Stefeno didn't say a word to me. He just stood between his father and my brother. Every now and then, he would lean over to my brother and say something, but that was it. Back in those days, I had a crush on Stefeno. I guess you would call that your stereotypical little sister has a crush on her older brother's best friend. I, of course, was way to young for a man like that. I was fourteen and he was twenty-two. I was a child, which made anything between us unacceptable.

I snap out of my thoughts and bring myself back to the present. "Stefeno." I say back to him, looking him straight in the eye. I'm not the shy little girl I used to be. That's when I really take him in. He's grown up a lot since I last saw him. He has to be at least 6'8", large muscles, which you can see even thought his body is covered in a grey tailored suit.You can see his tattoos creeping up his neck and covering his hands. I bet he is completely covered. His black hair is gelled to the side. He's completely clean shaven. But the most noticeable thing is the scar next to his right eye. Speaking of eyes, his dark grey, bluish eyes completely captivate you. Stefeno is 100 percent full of s*x appeal. To say he is hot, would be an understatement.

I clear my throat, and open the door completely. "I guess come in. You did come all this way." I step aside to let them in. Elijiah walks in like he owns the place. Stefeno ducts his head, steps in the door, then straightens up, He looks me up and down and smirks. "You sure did grow up, Cassie." That's when it dawned on me. In my mind, I face palm myself.

I'm a short girl. I always have been. Growing up, people picked at me. I'm about 5'4". I'm on the thicker side. Meaning I have a large chest and large ass and thighs. My stomach is flat and I work hard to maintain my figure. My hair is auburn and I have my mother's emerald green eyes. I've also been blessed with an olive complexion. I am Italian after all. I'm very comfortable in my skin. But the way Stefeno looked at me made me self concious. I realized I'm still standing in my sports bra and come shorts that don't leave much to the imagniation.

I sigh. Closing the front door and grabbing my hoodie thats on the back of the couch. I put it on and walk into the kitchen to get something to drink. "Hey Cass! Where's the bathroom?? I need to take a massive s**t!" Well, that's my brother for you! He was never shy about his bodily functions. "Upstairs, 2nd door on the right!" I shout back to him. I grab a bottle of water, take a sip, and try to take a deep breath. I go to turn around, so I can ask Stefeno if he would like something to drink, only to turn right into a brick wall of a chest. "Hmph." I hear him grunt. "Oh my God. I'm so sorry! I didn't hear you come in here." I say while holding my chest. He startled me. I take a step back, so I can crane my neck up to look at him. He's already staring down at me with an emotionless look.

"Would you like something to drink?" I ask him. "No." "Would you like a snack or anything?" "No." Now, I'm starting to fidget. He is making me extremely nervous and for the life of me, I don't know why. I take a sip of my water, hoping it will help calm my racing heart. Suddenly, his hand comes up and caresses my chin. I look him in the eyes, not being able to read the storm brewing there. He clears his throat, "You look like a w***e, Cassie. Try putting some clothing on." And just like that, I snap out of it. "f**k you, Stefeno." "Such dirty words. Keep it up and you just might." He says while swiping his thumb along my bottom lip.